Biography
Melanie Carpenter, PsyD
Melanie Carpenter, PsyD received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, her BA in psychology from UCLA, and is currently completing her post-doctoral training at the Wright Institute Los Angeles. As a mother, she is drawn to helping parents with perinatal issues including postpartum depression and anxiety, insomnia, and reproductive loss. Dr. Carpenter applies her experience as a former actress to the unique needs of new parents and maternal mental health. She has worked with a diverse range of clients in inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings and has experience working with OCD and anxiety, depression, substance use/addiction, domestic violence, and trauma-informed treatments, as well as experience working with issues uniquely faced by the LGBTQIA community.
Dr. Carpenter is a registered psychological assistant (PSB94026087) and post-graduate fellow currently being supervised by Dr. Lisa Osborn.
C.V.
EDUCATION
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06/2021
- Psy.D., Clinical Psychology
- California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles
- APA-Accredited Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
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08/2018
- M.A., Clinical Psychology
- California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles
- APA-Accredited Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
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06/2016
- B.A., Psychology
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
HONORS & AWARDS
- 2017 • Psi Chi, Alliant International University, Los Angeles
- 2012 • Dean’s Honor List, 4 semesters, Los Angeles Valley College
- 2011 • Phi Theta Kappa, Los Angeles Valley College
SUPERVISED CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
- 08/2021 – Present Dr. Lisa Osborn
Santa Monica, CA
Supervisor: Lisa Osborn, Psy.D.
Psychological Assistant
• Provided individual, one-on-one counseling related to reproductive mental health.
• Conducted intake assessments.
- 07/2021 – Present Wright Institute, Los Angeles
West Los Angeles, CA
Supervisors: Margaret Sheehan, Ph.D., Michele Gomes, Psy.D., Claudia Feldman, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral Fellowship
• Provided individual, one-on-one counseling to adults in the Los Angeles area via teletherapy.
• Conducted intake assessments.
• Provided crisis intervention counseling.
- 07/2020 – 06/2021 Wright Institute, Los Angeles
West Los Angeles, CA
Supervisors: Margaret Sheehan, Ph.D., Michele Gomes, Psy.D., Claudia Feldman, Ph.D.
Pre-Doctoral Internship
• Provided individual, one-on-one counseling to adults in the Los Angeles area.
• Conducted intake assessments.
• Provided crisis intervention counseling.
- 07/2019 – 06/2020 Tarzana Treatment Centers
Tarzana, CA
Supervisor: Sarah Schwartz, Psy.D.
Practicum Trainee
• Conducted intake assessments in an inpatient detox setting.
• Provided individual, one-on-one counseling to adults dealing with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Co-facilitated weekly group therapy sessions in inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings.
• Provided crisis intervention counseling.
• Worked within a multidisciplinary treatment team which included nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, and substance use counselors.
- 09/2018 – 08/2019 UCLA Child Anxiety, OCD, and Tic Disorders Intensive Outpatient Program
Los Angeles, CA
Supervisors: Lindsey Bergman, Ph.D., Sisi Guo, Ph.D.
Practicum Trainee
• Provided individual in-vivo Exposure Response Prevention to children and adolescents with OCD.
• Provided psychoeducation about OCD, guided mindfulness practices, and provided coping and distress tolerance skills to children and adolescents with OCD.
• Co-facilitated weekly group therapy sessions for parents and children.
• Performed intake and diagnostic assessments for anxiety, OCD, and tic disorder research programs utilizing the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (ADIS), the Children’s Yale-Brown OC Scale (CY-BOCS), the Family Accommodation Scale for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (FAS-IR), the Mini International Neuropsychological Inventory (MINI), and the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS).
• Worked closely with psychiatrists, physicians, and mental health staff in order to provide continuity of care for OCD patients.
- 09/2017 – 08/2018 Los Angeles LGBT Center
Hollywood, CA
Supervisor: Susan Holt, Psy.D., LMFT
Practicum Trainee
• Provided individual, one-on-one counseling to adults in the LGBTQ population.
• Co-facilitated weekly group therapy sessions for individuals impacted by DV/IPV.
• Performed LGBTQ-specific semi-structured intake assessments for individuals and couples.
• Utilized the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess treatment gains at discharge.
• Provided crisis intervention counseling.
- 09/2016 – 05/2017 Gateway to Success, Alhambra Unified School District
Alhambra, CA
Supervisor: Diane Cortes, Ph.D.
Practicum Trainee
• Facilitated evidence-based psychoeducational group workshops on anti-bullying and self-esteem.
• Provided primary prevention seminars and classroom outreach for mental health promotion.
• Attended weekly training seminars.
• Developed skills in working in a multidisciplinary team.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
- 01/2017 – 6/2021
Dissertation: Red Carpet Anxiety: A Qualitative Analysis
• California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
• Dissertation Chair: Cristina Magalhaes, Ph.D.
• Defended: 04/23/2021
- 01/2016 – 06/2016 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Marriage Lab
Los Angeles, CA
Principal Investigator: Grace Jackson, Ph.D.
Research Assistant
• Attended the weekly research lab meetings of Professors Thomas Bradbury, Ph.D., and Benjamin Karney, Ph.D.
• Assisted doctoral candidate Grace Jackson in research examining the effects of social networks on marital outcomes during the Winter and Spring 2016 quarters. • Completed exhaustive search for research papers related to social networks and marriage. • Developed coding schemes and individually coded over 100 research papers.
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
- 04/2021 – Present
Wright Institute, Los Angeles
West Los Angeles, CA
Supervisor: Aimee Martinez, Psy.D.
Marketing and Development Work Study • Created social media posts to market the Wright Institute’s services.
• Worked with WILA trainees to create marketing content and schedule.
• Liaised with WILA Alumni Association to facilitate CE and fundraising events.
• Created official WILA Marketing Style Guide.
- 09/2015 – 09/2016
Dr. Sophie Duriez, M.D., A Professional Corporation
Beverly Hills, CA
Administrative Assistant • Scheduled and confirmed patient appointments for Psychiatrist Sophie Duriez, M.D.
• Organized patient files.
• Overhauled office financials and created Daily Receivables Schedule.
• Confirmed coverage with insurance companies.
- 09/2015 – 06/2016
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Department of Psychology
Los Angeles, CA
Administrative Assistant • Assisted with various office- and event-related tasks for the Health Psychology Area faculty and enrolled students under the advisement of the area chair, Professor Annette Stanton, Ph.D.
• Managed Health Psychology Area annual budget of $750.
• Organized recruitment event for newly admitted graduate students.
RELEVANT VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
- 01/2018 – 06/2019
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Hollywood, CA
Small Group Co-Facilitator • Co-facilitated the Survivors of Domestic Violence Empowerment Group.
• Created lesson plans and discussion topics for weekly group meetings.
• Utilized process, creative, and didactic intervention strategies to facilitate a safe and positive healing environment.
- 01/2017 – 06/2020
Fairburn Elementary School, LAUSD
Westwood, CA
Parent Volunteer • Assisted teacher in one-on-one testing, and with general classroom management.
• Facilitated evidence-based psychoeducational group workshops on anti-bullying and self-esteem.
• Provided primary prevention seminars and classroom outreach for mental health promotion.
- 05/2005 – 12/2005
Youth and Young Adult Ministries, First United Methodist Church
Burbank, CA
Volunteer Educational Assistant
• Taught basic educational & social skills to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Communicated student progress to the supervisor.
• Maintained a safe environment for children with disabilities.
Participated in weekly after-school play group for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
RELEVANT TRAINING
- 5 Day Intensive Dialectic Behavioral Therapy Training – CBT California
- Suicide Assessment Training – UCLA
- 10 Week LGBT Specific Therapy Training (including IPV/DV and Substance Use) – Los Angeles LGBT Center
- 2 Day Intensive Crisis Intervention Training – Los Angeles LGBT Center
- Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training – Tarzana Treatment Centers
- CPR Certification Training – Tarzana Treatment Centers
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- 2017 – Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA)
- 2016 – American Psychological Association (APA)